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There’s a lot more to the crowdfunding concept
than just indiegogo and Kickstarter. While they are a major force
in getting cool projects off the ground, there are other outlets
and uses for crowdfunding that may surprise you, including
platforms that enable you to act like an investor and
back other entrepreneur’s projects.

Under the JOBS Act (Jumpstart Our Business Startups)
that was put into effect by President Barack Obama, the
playing field of investing has opened up to smaller accredited
investors. Think you might be interested in participating
in a crowdfunded startup or maybe a commercial real estate
investment through crowdfunding? Here are three ways
entrepreneurs can get in on crowdfunding for investment or as
a means for raising capital, not just rewards.

1. Fundable is a nice
crossbreed of the two uses for crowdfunding: investment and
investing. Co-founded by serial entrepreneur Wil Schroter, Fundable wants to change the
way startup founders get access to capital and the investment
options of backers.

What’s the main difference if you’re looking to crowdfund your
business using Fundable over another platform such
as Kickstarter or indiegogo? With Fundable, you choose
whether you want to go the rewards route or the share-options
route for getting the capital you need. The ability to choose how
you get your funding puts more options in your hands for getting
the capital you want.

2. Asset Avenue. Get involved
in commercial real estate with this crowdfunded
property-purchasing powerhouse. Backed by Adam Chapnick, one of the principals of
indiegogo, this crowdfunding platform allows you to get
involved in commercial real estate by funding property deals
as an investor.

Asset Avenue breaks down the complex and high barrier to entry of
commercial real estate projects so that you can participate as an
accredited investor and help crowdfund projects with
confidence in the hard asset of property. It’s also
reassuring that it’s a crowfunding platform whose growth is being
managed by a crowdfunding expert.

3. Fundriseis another
cool investment platform that is founded on the idea that
anyone can and should be able to get involved in real estate
in their area. Co-founded by Daniel Miller and Benjamin Miller, their
combined expertise and experience in finance and real estate
led them to realize there was a better way to do real estate
deals that involved the “little guy” and tons of transparency
about fees and ROI.

Fundrise offers up plenty of low price-point entries (starting
at $100) and in localized regions so you can make more
informed investment decisions based on the areas you already
know. The platform wants you to enjoy the rewards of backing real
estate that impacts your community, in ways you can understand
and see.